Treatment and Administration of Cold Hives

Cold hives is an allergy where large red welts or hives form on skin when it is exposed to cold stimulus. These welts are itchy and irritating which need to be treated immediately. Hands and feet are the most affected parts of body due to cold hives. They become swollen and itchy and they appear in different sizes. The size may vary from the size of a pencil eraser which can be 7mm in diameter to 27 mm in diameter or even larger than that. Usually, hives occur and go in few minutes or days, but when it stays for more than six weeks, then they are known as chronic hives. Chronic hives needs to be treated with the help of medications.

Hives can stay with you for the whole life, but their reoccurrence in body is unpredictable. So you need to consult a dermatologist for treating chronic hives and removing them from their roots.

Being allergic to cold may sound silly but it occurs in many people causing them discomfort. Cold hives is an outcome of cold allergy in which red raised itchy bumps occur in person when exposed to cold temperature. Swelling can also occur on the face, hands and throat when exposed to a cold stimulus. A person suffering from cold hives should learn some measures to keep it at bay. Here, we will provide information on ways to manage cold hives and also ways to treat cold hives.

Managing cold hives:

• Avoid cold climates when possible. If you cannot, then ensure you wear enough warm clothes – dress with heavy jackets, thermal innerwear, woolen socks, boots, woolen gloves, cap to keep you warm enough.
• Limit outdoor activities in cold temperatures.
• Avoid eating any cold food or cold drinks. If you are having something cold, take small sips or bites to avoid any lip irritation or swelling.
• Don't hold anything cold; use a napkin to hold a cold object or else you will end up with swelling and hives.
• Do not swim in cold water. Try to swim in hot or warm water. Always check the temperature of the swimming pool before you dive in. Also never swim alone, because an allergic reaction could be fatal.
• Wear warm clothes in an air conditioned room to prevent cold hives.
• In the case of unpredictable weather conditions, make sure to wear layered clothing because a sudden drop in temperature could lead to cold hives.
• During cold climatic conditions, use a heater at home, in the car to ensure the environment is warm enough.
• Avoid extreme temperatures as this could trigger an allergic reaction causing cold hives.

Treating cold hives:

If you are exposed to cold temperatures and have cold hives, there are several ways to treat it. Use the below mentioned pointers to treat cold hives.

• Take an antihistamine drug to reduce itching and swelling. Some of the antihistamines which can help in cold hives are Claritin, zyrtec, Cyproheptadine, Doxepin, Ketotifen. These drugs will not cure cold urticaria because the underlying cause could be a different medical problem, but will help ease the symptoms.
• Once rash appears on the skin, use an antihistamine cream to reduce rash and itching. You can also use warm compress or a heating pad on affected areas.
• Before going out in the cold temperature, take an antihistamine pill.
• Use an epinephrine auto-injector to stop inflammation immediately.

These are some measures which will help prevent cold hives and treat cold hives. There is no cure for cold urticaria as such; medications will only help reduce symptoms and signs of cold hives.